Ventricular Septal Rupture—The Resurgence of a Post-Myocardial Infarction Dreadful Complication during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

In the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an 84-year-old female patient was admitted due to non-exertional syncope preceded by retrosternal pain. She had experienced a prolonged episode of oppressive chest pain 6 days before her presentation, but due to the concern of contracting COVID-19, she did not present for medical care. Upon admission to the emergency department, the patient was in circulatory shock, with her physical examination being remarkable for the presence of a holosystolic murmur. Admission electrocardiogram revealed an inferior ST-segment elevation with Q waves with extension to the posterior wall, consistent with subacute infarct in the right coronary artery (RCA) territory, and the patient was transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Upon arrival to the catheterization laboratory, a summary transthoracic echocardiogram was performed, which revealed inferior wall and infero-septal akinesia with an 18 mm ventricular septal rupture. Coronary angiography documented occlusion of the proximal segment of a dominant RCA. Due to a high perioperative risk, the patient underwent successful retrograde percutaneous closure with a 24 mm MemoPart™ device, with mild to moderate residual shunt. Despite an immediate clinical improvement, the patient died 12 hours after the procedure due to refractory cardiogenic shock.